Drug & Overdose Awareness Sessions in Grades 10-12 

At WPGA, we endeavour to instill healthy living habits in our students, to benefit them today and prepare them for life beyond high school. As part of our Active Health and Wellbeing curriculum, our counselling, PE and nursing teams recently hosted sessions for grades 10-12 students on the dangers of recreational alcohol and drug use, including how to help prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose or over intoxication of a peer.  

At a recent press conference, Lisa Lapointe, BC’s Chief Coroner, emphasized that there is a concerning trend of unsafe, toxic drugs throughout the province. As our students soon head off to postsecondary campuses around the world, we want to ensure they are fully equipped with the most salient information about the dangers of alcohol consumption and recreational drug use. 

In PHE classes, Ms. Brenko and Ms. Macintyre collaborated with Nurse Janzen on these presentations, which serve as an early review to the Party Safety Unit offered in PHE every spring.  

Along with addressing educational efforts around drug/overdose awareness, our counsellors reviewed the use of naxolone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, and where naxolone kits can be accessed (in most first aid supplies, including at our school and university campuses; and at local pharmacies, where they are free of charge).

We look forward to continuing the focused discussions in the spring, and invite families to connect with me or our counsellors should you have any questions or concerns.